• Description and critical environmental evaluation of the REE refining plant LAMP near Kuantan/Malaysia - Report

    Radiological and non-radiological environ-mental consequences of the plant’s opera-tion and its wastes

    The facility for refining Australian ore concentrate rich in rare earth metals of Lynas Corporation in Malaysia has several deficiencies concerning the operational environmental impacts. The environment is affected by acidic substances as well as from dust particles, which are emitted into the air in substantially larger concentrations than would be state-of-the-art in off-gas treatment in Europe. The storage of radioactive and toxic wastes on site does not prevent leachate from leaving the facility and entering ground and groundwater. For the long-term disposal of wastes under acceptable conditions concerning radiation safety a sustainable concept is still missing. These are the results of a study of Oeko-Institute on behalf of the Malaysian NGO SMSL.
    Schmidt, G. (2013)
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  • Description and critical environmental evaluation of the REE refining plant LAMP near Kuantan/Malaysia - Summary

    Radiological and non-radiological environ-mental consequences of the plant’s opera-tion and its wastes

    The facility for refining Australian ore concentrate rich in rare earth metals of Lynas Corporation in Malaysia has several deficiencies concerning the operational environmental impacts. The environment is affected by acidic substances as well as from dust particles, which are emitted into the air in substantially larger concentrations than would be state-of-the-art in off-gas treatment in Europe. The storage of radioactive and toxic wastes on site does not prevent leachate from leaving the facility and entering ground and groundwater. For the long-term disposal of wastes under acceptable conditions concerning radiation safety a sustainable concept is still missing. These are the results of a study of Oeko-Institute on behalf of the Malaysian NGO SMSL.
    Schmidt, G. (2013)
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  • Radiological Consequences of the Fukushima Event via Water Pathways

    Background on dose calculations for fish and seaweed consumption

    In connection with the accident in Fukushima large amounts of highly contaminated water seeped through the structures of the buildings of Unit 2, collected on lower levels of the reactor buildings, and made their way to rooms on lower levels of the turbine building. This paper quantifies the data, that is measured by TEPCO, adds calculated doses for selected pathways, and draws conclusions from this data and doses in respect to short- and longer term conse-quences.
    Schmidt, G. (2011)
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  • Environmentalist’s Wishlist: Recommendation for environmental Improvements in Uranium Mining

    Schmidt, G. (2010)
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  • Les bonnes résolutions pour une amélioration environnementale de l’exploitation minière d’uranium: recommandation d’un écologiste.

    Schmidt, G. (2010)
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  • OBRA - European observatory for long-term governance on radioactive waste management

    Continuing societal concerns limit the application of deep geological disposal in many countries. Wider societal involvement at a variety of governance levels in an open, inclusive and transparent manner is a top-level concern in all European and national organisations involved in radioactive waste management. Nevertheless, current approaches to governance of spent nuclear fuel reveal weaknesses. Local and regional communities lack access to an authoritative yet independent platform of experts to address their concerns and information needs in a systematic way and which could provide them with the sufficient knowledge base as to be able to take sound decisions concerning the long-term.
    Kallenbach-Herbert, B.; Brohmann, B. (2007)
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  • Evaluation of selected aspects of the environmental assessment report for the Langer Heinrich Uranium Mining Project in Namibia

    Due to an inappropriate selection of input data (Radium in ore and tailings) and to a too small breathing rate, the dose calculations in the EA understimates the doses for the public. Together with a higher contribution of Radon to the total dose, a person at Bloedkoppie, a publicly accessable place and a tourist attraction in 1.5 to 2.5 km distance to the mine, can exceed internationally accepted dose limits. The EA does not clearly define the areal extend, where the doses are below the dose limits and where doses exceed the limits. The areal extend, where the dose limits are exceeded, clearly reach beyond the facility’s operational area, probably reaching a distance of some kilometers. The missing definition of a clear boundary is a general short-coming of the EA and should be corrected. Additional contradictions and problems in the EA’s calculation of doses from Radon are discussed and can give rise to an additional underestimation of doses.
    Schmidt, G.; Diehl, P. (2005)
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  • Evaluation of the Radioactivity Release Event in December 2003 at Yonggwang Nuclear Power Plant Unit

    As of March 4, 2004, Oeko-Institut was commissioned by the Korean Company KHNP to review an incident in NPP Yonggwang Unit 5.
    Kurth, S.; Schmidt, G. (2004)
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